Pitanga

After stints at the Dorchester and Café Constant, chef Alexandre Furtado and his partner from Bistro Paradis, Yoann Dinh, have opened an usual Brazilian tapas bar/restaurant with a French twist. In a loft-like space with rough, plant-covered walls, big tables and a blonde wood bar, the chef sends out small, high-quality plates, like chicken coxinhas (a type of Brazilian croquette) with a Catupiry cheese dipping sauce, along with some really fabulous French-Brazilian bistro dishes. The night we went, after digging into a sheep trotter fricassee, topped with a fried egg and a smokey bacon sauce, we indulged in a perfectly cooked steak picanha served with some lovely cassava fries, farofa (a condiment made with corn flour), all seasoned with an immaculate and subtle jus; plus banana bread with coconut espuma for dessert. // A.S.

FEELING THIRSTY? Classic cocktails (mojitos, margaritas, old fashioneds, etc., for €11) and house creations like the Minari made with vanilla cachaça, passion fruit, prosecco and lime (€11), in addition to some beautiful French bottles: Infiniment Blanc, a fresh Ventoux from the Domaine Alloïs (€7 a glass, €30 a bottle) or Terres d’Aigles, a tonic Côtes-du-Rhône red from Marcel Richaud (€34).
PRICE: Tapas €9-10, à la carte €37-50.